CHAPTER SIX
 

"Empress," Rethna said as he walked into her bedroom later that night, calling softly in case she was still asleep.  She threw something at him.  "Yes, it's me, but it's not an official visit, simply a suggestion."  He came in and sat next to her, looking down at her in the barely lit room.  "Empress, it was suggested that there are some excellent marriage brokers here since one of your spouses has been shown to be...unhappy with their lives with you.  They were wondering if you'd like to tour them since you have almost no second husbands at all."  She shrugged, then pulled the pillow back over her head.  "What's wrong?"

"You'll think it's dumb."

"Well, probably, but that's because I'm not you.  I have my calling and my wife, one who I adore."

"I thought I had one of those too," she sighed as she sat up.  She noticed his shocked look.  "It's been noticeable recently, Rethna, don't tell me you haven't seen it."

"No, I have, but I think they were speaking of another spouse entirely, Empress," he said gently.

"That is another decision I leave up to him," she said firmly.  "I don't make or unmake his happiness levels."  She stood up and walked over to her closet to find something to wear.  "Where's the outfit I was wearing earlier?"

"In the laundry.  Wear something new."

"I'd rather not, thank you," she said bitterly, grabbing the clothes she wanted.  She had packed her own bag so she got to put some of her most comfortable outfits in there.  "Remind me that anything I have to get rid of, which will be most of this once the ambassadors quit showing up, is to go to the temples.  Not burned," she said at his shocked look.

"Of course, Empress.  It is a very nice thing to give those away.  I'll inform the staff of that when we clean out your closets on your year anniversary."

"No, *I* will be cleaning out my closets," she said firmly.  "I'm not helpless, Rethna, don't treat me like I am and don't try to steal my clothes."

"Of course not," he agreed lightly, but inside he was howling with laughter because he could see why the crown had chosen her.  "Also," he said as he stood up.  "There have been those who believed that you were spouting pretty words at your coronation."

"That'll be fixed in about four days.  I've been carefully transcribing the section I want into the new laws."  She took his arm.  "Come on, if I have to do this, so will you."  She noticed everyone looking at them as they walked out.  "Someone was hinting strongly for me to pick out more second husbands and wives," she noted.  "So he nicely arranged for me to tour the marriage brokers before I have dinner."

"I'll come if you want," Henri offered.

"I'll be fine, go back to your game, Henri," she said with a small smile.  "We'll be back in a bit."  She walked her guard out, taking him down to the carts they had hired so Rethna could drive them off.  "Teach me this?"  He gave her an odd look.  "What happens if I have to get away from someone?"

"Good point," he agreed with a small sigh.  "Fine.  Let's look this over."  These were a bit different from the ones at home or that the palace used.  He pointed at the buttons.  "That's to start, to start the anti-gravity drives, to inflate the cushion to temporarily get us into the air and as an emergency landing procedure, and this one is for something I'm not sure about," he admitted, pushing one button he didn't know right off.  A screen appeared with messages. "Oh, for communications.  Fine.  So you do it this way.  You start, you inflate the air cushion and turn on the anti-gravity lifts, waiting until the red light comes on, then you take off," he said as he did it.  "Then you steer with this once you're in the air without the cushion or you can program in a destination but the computers on these are limited."

She studied his hands as he worked, memorizing it.  "Is it hard to steer?"

"No, it's very delicate actually.  If you move too hard, you'll flip yourself over.  This time, I don't know exactly where I'm going so I'm using the computer."  He glanced at her.  "You should never have to worry about this," he said firmly.

"I might have to though," she pointed out bitterly.  "Even when I have my own guards, it won't be their job to lay down their lives while I stupidly stand there."

"No, it's not," he agreed.  It was a very good sentiment from her and it showed she was finally getting into the mind set.  "Your husband had a meeting himself tonight with an old friend or four.  That's what he said," he explained at her odd look.

"Again, something he decides, not me.  I'm not keeping him as a slave, Rethna.  He's his own person who can make his own decisions."  He nodded, looking wise and calm.  "How many marriage brokers are there?"

He accessed the communications screen to pull up a listing, then let her look it over.  "Choose one and we'll go there first."

She looked over the list but one kept catching her eye.  "That one," she decided, touching it.  The link updated the navigation computer and they moved a bit faster to get there.  "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, it was going slower while we figured out which one we wanted to go to," he assured her.  "They're programmed that way."

"Oh, good," she said happily, liking that idea.
 

~*~*~*~

Brast walked into the tavern in the pirate section of the mall, looking at the bartender.  "Halley?"

"Back room," he grunted, pointing the way.  "Should have known that, boy."

"Usually when I say it's important he has us out here," he reminded the other man, walking back that way.  He tapped before walking in, just in case someone was being jumpy.  "Halley," he said, smiling at the Pirates Guild representative.  He hugged him.  "Thank you for coming."

"Ehh, I needed dinner," he offered, sitting across from his old friend but able to see the door.  "You're going to sit with your back to the door?"

"I laid an alarm on the knob when I came in," Brast admitted causally.  "I need Brailian."

"He's nowhere near here."

"Why not?  He's always near the mall.  Each and every time someone calls for him he states travel time in how long it'd take him to get from his home planet, which is in the next system."

"It would be normally, but he's on a job.  He might not be back this year."  He shrugged at the hurt look.  "Can anyone else help?"

"I'll have to hand my wife to someone I trust and I know those two will get along," he said bitterly.  He leaned back in the chair, stretching out under the table.  "I don't want to leave her unguarded."

"Yes, but it'll look wrong if you hand her to another pirate," Halley pointed out gently.  "Besides, it was rather obvious that you care a bit for her, Brast."  The younger man grimaced.  "Seriously, you wouldn't care normally and you would have taken away that innocent streak she seems to have if you didn't care for her."  The younger pirate growled so he grinned happily.  "Tabor told me when he heard you'd called me out to dinner."

"I should call you out to a duel," he said bitterly.

"Then you'd miss me and we'd have to spend another two cycles picking a new Guild representative," he said cheerfully.  "So, you think she and Brailian will get along?  Why?"

"Because he's more like what she needs," Brast admitted.  "She needs someone who won't be scared to be in the political life she's got to lead.  I hate it.  I have nothing to do, I can't fly, and everyone's always watching me."

"Then maybe you should get off your butt and lay the girl," Tabor noted as he walked in, handing over the alarm.  "Sorry I'm late, took me a bit to get that."  He sat down on Brast's right.  "Really, man, you can't leave her like that. Your daughter had the right idea.  The next one will take all the more pleasure from her because of it."  Brast scowled at him.  "That's why you named me one of her five godfathers, because I've got some sense," he pointed out.  Traditionally pirates named five godfathers so at least one was still in the life and alive when the child came of age, and they were always people who could teach the child things in the father's stead.  "We all noticed how you reacted when I put her in the mating shirt and gown.  We also know that you'll have to or someone who cares less about her will.  She'll be forced to prove it someday soon with a child from her body," Tabor pointed out.  "Even the supposedly civilized peoples in the empire will start to look at her funny for not having children."

"She hates children," Brast offered.  "Melyn, her interpreter and language teacher, took her into the palace nursery to show off her newest niece and all the children cried as soon as she walked in.  She'll adopt or let one be implanted, but she'll never have a child of her own."  He shifted again, looking at the other men. "That still leaves me with my problem.  My contract year ends in another four months, Central time.  I can't leave her like she is, not unguarded, and the only person I trust enough to help her through the political dance is Brailian."

"He'd do good," Tabor agreed.  Halley nodded, shifting to stretch out to the side some.  "Can't say as he'd do it automatically though.  Not your girl."

"She's not my girl," Brast said firmly.  "It was a contract to protect her and to help her through this first year.  I'm more her wardrobe master than anything."

"Bull," Halley said with a smirk.  "She is your girl and she is changing the way you're thinking again or else you wouldn't worry.  She's an adult, Brast."

"She's never been an adult. She's got less sense than my daughter does," he said, meaning every word of it.

"Huh.  And here I heard earlier that it was your girl who took the gun off that person who wanted them both," Tabor said dryly.  Brast sat up suddenly, staring at him.  "Let me guess, your little one covered for her?  Well, I'm not shocked.  Seems she's run into some of us and some of *them* in the past and managed it well enough both times," he shared.  "She's not the delicate little social flower that most of the girls are.  She's untrained, but she's got the will and the brains to be from the highest merchant family."

"She's farm bred," Brast shared.

"So we've heard in the news," Halley agreed. "Then she went to the temple when her whole family was killed.  Where she spent eons in the archives and catacombs.  Plus some time in the temple on Riven," he added. "From what one of the former priestesses there said, she was quite sorry to leave.  She was from another temple but your girl was quite something else to the other faiths that they liked.  Seems she ran meetings and get-togethers for all the local priests and priestesses so they could compare stories and tell each other things.  She did wonderfully, even for not having a lick of sense.  She really took on a single assassin bare handed, Tabor?"

"Yup.  The restaurant found him in the crapper," Tabor agreed.  "Apparently she got the thing's gun and then his little girl knocked him out."  He shrugged.  "And this was after buying our friend here a nice present."

Brast touched the earring.  "It was in apology for your embarrassing me," he said firmly. "That's all it is."  He stretched out again.  "Which ones did she run into?  When I called for information no one knew anything."

Halley smirked.  "I talked to the other Guild people and one of them had a person who was out of touch on a job.  When he found out who had been coronated he apparently reported meeting her before in case she decided to cause us trouble.  It was little Kaelin while he was on his apprenticeship."

"She told your little girl that whoever it was treated her very politely," Tabor offered.  "She knew that there was a difference, she just thought we were all called by the same name, but she knew there was a difference.  She even complimented them to the little one."

"Yeah, it appears he was on one of his last missions with Kobald when they got this order to retrieve an erring daughter to bring home for her wedding.  They took the job, stopped the freighter, boarded, did their usual job of rounding up everyone and treating them like the idiots they can be, but the girl herself told them that Brast's girl was their target.  So they go to wake her up 'cause she was heavily sedated."  He rolled his eyes.  "I don't know why, but she was.  When they finally got her up, they ordered her to get dressed and she did.  They had to stop and think when she put on her veil though because they knew the daughter wasn't a priestess and this one was marking herself as a Handmaiden of the Goddess at the time.  So they asked," Halley said with a chuckle. "Good of them.  The girl told them who she was and why she was traveling, plus how she hates to travel.  Still don't know why, but he remembered her being quite polite and quiet, plus she followed orders very well."

"She hates the blackness of space," Brast said bitterly.  "She also can't sleep in a moving bed. She has gifts that need to be planet-bound for them to help her any."  He looked around.  "Haven't we ordered yet?"

"Nope, not yet," Tabor admitted.  "Any idea who the slavers were?"

"Yeah, that group that got driven off her first temple's world.  It was Horenc's people.  They blew their butts up each and every way they could.  She was one of the ones taken?"

"Nah, said she was one of the ones who fought.  She had been guarding the tithes and picked up a weapon off one of them."  He looked at Brast.  "She say those things at her coronation to be pretty or tough, boy?"

"She said she's writing out the edict at the moment," he offered, ringing the bell.  "We need drinks and food," he ordered.

"Sire, what would you like tonight?" the young woman asked fearfully.

"I'm one of them and a clan member," he said firmly, "treat me like it."  She nodded and quit shaking.  "Thank you.  What's on the stove?"

"There's a stew or there's beans," she offered.  "Plus we've got some meat roasting."

"That's good," he agreed, handing over his personal credit chip.  She looked at it then at him. "We always pay first or else we have to stay while shooting when we're attacked," he said dryly.  Tabor and Halley both rolled their eyes and nodded. "You're not one of us, are you?"

"I'm a daughter," she said firmly.

"Ah, but your Ma probably took you from us," Tabor guessed.  She nodded.  "Then start to act like the other girls.  I'll send one'a mine down tonight ta help.  Definitely bring the meat and stew, plus some ale."

"Yes, sir," she agreed, taking the credit chip up to the machine.  It declined and she looked at her boss, who rolled his eyes and put in the amount again.  It declined again so she went back in there.  "Um, sir, it doesn't want to accept yours."

"I refilled it at home," he complained. "I haven't even spent all that."  He pulled out his wife's and handed it over.  Her eyes bulged. "She's my wife, she pays my allowance."

"Of course, sir," she said, hurrying back to the machine.  It didn't decline this time.  She brought it back and handed it over clearly.  "It went through.  Thank you for understanding."  She hurried off to get their food.

Halley looked at him.  "What did you buy?"

"Two candles and some oil for her hair," he said with a shrug.  "I'll look it over later."  He stretched, then got up.  "Or better yet, I'll go chew someone a new one at a public terminal, I'll be right back."  He went out to the bar and turned on the communications system, which was a camera/screen/microphone setup, using it fully to call the present palace and the Minister of the Royal Courts, the new Minister for the Household hadn't come with them, he was overseeing the next move.  "Kathal, why was my allowance taken away?"

"Let me check," he said patiently, turning to look at something else. "I see it did go on.  Ah, here we go.  Another bit of pettiness.  I'll restore it immediately and deal with the person who did this, sire.  Anything else?"  Brast scowled.  "What?"

"She sees no need to shop and she will be cleaning out her own closet."  The Minister nodded once.  "That way no one can sabotage her clothes."

"Of course.  Will we be donating the rest of them to one of the temples?"  Brast nodded. "Then I would suspect she'd do something of the kind.  Should I schedule her guards to come in soon?"

"As soon as possible.  I'll make sure we get back home.  Make sure she has something to come back to."  He signed off and went back to the back room, getting there while they were carrying in food.  "Someone took my allowance because they didn't like me," he said with a smirk. "It's nice to delegate."

The other men gave him an odd look and simply nodded, humoring his odd mood.
 

~*~*~*~

Sivya came out of the first house looking confused.  "Why did I take that test?"

"Because it is something that some matchmakers use to help match you with someone more compatible," Rethna said calmly.  "Are you sure you want to advertise for a new First Wife, m'lady?"

"Rethna, I have a name and I expect you and my spouses to use it," she said firmly.

"Sorry," he said sheepishly, looking around.  "Are you sure that's wise?"

"She's made herself plain about what she wants.  She wants to do more of the work than I need her to do and she's always finding ways of getting around me with the staff.  I won't have that sort of sabotage from my closest advisors.  I need someone I can trust there."

"You do," he agreed.  He looked up the street they were on then, nudged her. "Come, let us go up there for a moment.  I've heard of this one and you'll not have to take the test again."  She nodded and followed him up there, bowing like he did.  "Our lady here needs to look for core husbands and wives, plus she is thinking of getting a helper for her First Wife," he said delicately.

"Of course she is.  Her First Wife nags," the woman agreed, leading them inside.  "I do have one I think you may like, Empress.  I was called directly by the last one you talked with and given your scores.  I have one that scores almost exactly the same, but much more strong mentally.  She was one of the ones who did multiple degrees at school."  Sivya looked impressed.  "At the least she could be some sort of assistant," she added with a small look.  She led them back to a meeting room.  "Here you go.  Recala, this is Sivya."

"Empress," she said, jumping up and saluting her.

"Don't do that," Sivya sighed. "I hate it when people snap like that.  It's got to hurt your back."  The other woman looked at her like she was an alien.  "Yes, I'm that way," she said patiently.  "I'm also a scholar of peoples and history.  I need a researcher for a spouse."

"Research I'm good at, but my areas are the hard sciences.  If not me, then I may know someone," she offered.  "Sit, speak with me."  They sat together, talking quietly while the others had a drink across the room.  Finally she had to ask.  "Who is he?"

"Rethna, my personal guardian," she assured her.  "He's also about my only friend in the palace."

"Interesting."  She looked him over. "He is quite strong."  She looked at her potential mate again.  "You two would suit each other."

"His job forbids it and he likes it more," Sivya said with a small shrug.  "I can't force him and I wouldn't."

"Good.  Then I believe I can pass you onto someone I know."  She smiled and patted her on the hand.  "I know of your present First Wife and she is quite ambitious.  She has recently seen a return on her patience with you, and is eager to go to it, but you need someone who can stay.  We wouldn't get along, we're much too much alike in some ways, but I do know of a wife who is used to scholars.  She's not one, but she has lived and worked with us for decades.  She's a bit older than I am, which is a bit older than you as well, but she would suit you I think.  She may nag you to get out of your books and go do audiences however."

"Sometimes I need that," Sivya agreed lightly.  "At home I had an assistant who was like that.  Right now, I have Pisha and an assistant who believes I can't read or write on my own."

"Yes, they can be that way," Recala agreed dryly.  "I'll send her to meet you, tell her what's going on.  Not that we haven't noticed Pisha's recent changes.  It seems she's been offered a job up at Park School teaching because she was with you."  Sivya sighed.  "Think, young lady.  She got you through this first year, what you wanted and needed.  Now she's being rewarded for a year's service with a teaching job that may or may not last.  The last few haven't in that same position."  She gave her a smug look.  "The same as there seems to be a curse on the one who wears the Warrior Queen's crown."

"There is?"

"It's often been shown that anyone who wears that crown and who is forced to marry to take the throne usually has to do a total change in their household that first year.  The ones who come in with mates usually keep them but about half break up after two years because the life is so different from what they loved."

Sivya nodded.  "I would gladly give this to Constantine anytime she's ready," she agreed.  "I hate this job."

"As would I," she agreed.  "I will call her tonight while you go back to rest and eat.  Now you should go do those.  The sooner we find her for you the better off you'll be."  Sivya nodded and gave her a short hug before leaving with her guard. "You offered me to the Empress?  Even though I'm so far out of her class?" she asked in disbelief.

"She's farm bred, not that far off your own upbringing," the matchmaker defended.  "Besides, you would help defend her and help her in her studies."

"True, but still."  She stood up.  "Let me call my fellow student.  She would be the best match yet."  She went to make the call, still shaking her head.  She was not material for the Palace.
 

~*~*~*~

Brast walked into their suite, looking around. Everyone but Melyn was asleep or hiding from him, which suited his mood.  "Evening," he said in greeting.

"Lord Brast, sire, there was a question posed to me that I'm not sure I should answer," she offered.  "Should I bring it to you or to her?"

"About me?"

"No, sire, about her," she said with a grimace.  "It was asked of me if she had taken a vow of chastity."  He looked stunned.  "I know that most priestesses did, but I don't know if it's still in force and I didn't know how to answer the woman."

He shuddered.  "Ask her, not me."

"Um, Sire?  She has said repeatedly that the decision to bed her is *your* choice," she said with a delicate wince.  "People are talking about you not having her often."  She stood up and moved closer.  "The housekeepers asked me because they figured I'd know, but I didn't feel comfortable with their questions so I said I would refer the matter to someone higher, with a better chance of knowing the answer."

He groaned, shaking his head.  "Then ask her, Melyn.  I can't make that decision for her."

"Sire, if you would show any signs of being receptive that she could see, she would have jumped you already," she explained gently.  "Remember, she's never met anyone who she wanted and has never courted anyone.  The subtle frustration that some of us see she doesn't.  She has no idea that your loins vibrate for her or that your body calls out for hers."

He snickered.  "Have you been reading trash again?"

"Probably," she admitted.  "But I thought that was more poetic.  Did it sound good?  I'm writing a letter to my boyfriend.  Speaking of which, should I be forward and suggest a new assistant for her?"

"Why?" he asked calmly.  "Did she send her present one away?"

"Oh, no, Lord Brast, she quit when the Empress expressed the opinion that she was literate, so therefore could write her own personal letters."

"Oh, hell," he muttered, shaking his head.  "Again, something to take up with her tomorrow.  I would suggest it, yes.  She's got a lot of work to do still and I don't trust nearly anyone to help her."

"Ah, but my boyfriend is in the diplomatic corps and wants to get away from the Draven ambassador's staff," she said happily.  "He could do that."

"Fine," he said, waving a hand.  "Suggest it to her in the morning. Tell Rethna that I had to buy dinner tonight because someone sabotaged my chip. I'm going to bed now."  He strolled that way, appearing calm.  Even though his insides were twisting and turning around themselves because she couldn't possibly understand how hard it was to ignore the pleas for attention and affection.  It wouldn't be right, she was a job, not a willing lover.  He needed to protect her and then be ready to move on in a few years.  He stripped and laid down on his bed, getting comfortable with his mind.  It was the only way he'd be able to sleep.

Melyn finished her note and sent it by speed mail, so it'd be there in the morning when her boyfriend awoke.  It would give him a happier few days until he could interview.
 

~*~*~*~

Brast was woken by excited sounding voices so he groaned as he got out of bed and headed across the common area to the bathroom.  "What's going on now?" he complained as he trudged across the thick carpet.

"The Empress and your daughter have decided to have breakfast out," Melyn said with a small smirk.

"Fine, give me a few minutes to become presentable," he grumped.

"Oh, no, sire, that's not necessary.  They left a few hours ago," Melyn assured him calmly.

Brast stopped and looked around, finding Rethna restrained in a corner, then groaned.  "Those stupid creatures!" he yelled. Melyn broke out in giggles.  He glared at her and she laughed harder.  "What was your part in this?"

"None, my lord," she promised, still laughing. "It was the look of frustration on your face."

"Has it occurred to you that many people would see this as a sign to kidnap them?" he asked coldly.

"I'd think they'd see it more as a sign that she's not the meek little priestess everyone thinks," Melyn said smartly.  "Because she's not most of the time.  Sheltered, yes, but I'm quite sure she's not that gentle, delicate, or innocent in some things.  A farming family's life isn't always that pleasant and nice.  I'm sure she's had to fight a few creatures and things."

"Yes, but the thinking creatures are often harder to kill than some predatory beast," he said impatiently, heading to bathe quickly.  "Even my daughter is not as powerful or as good as she thinks."

"Yes, but the only way to prove that is to let them roam and watch out for them," Rethna pointed out.  "Besides, half the shops are waiting on their pleasure.  They won't be getting into that much trouble."

Brast held his eyes, shaking his head slowly. "Patience, Lords," he muttered.  He looked at Rethna, then scowled.  "Do you honestly think those people who shot at us as we took off will care about some shopkeepers?  Or about any of the nice, casual guardians around here?  They're good, but they're more used to handling overly drunk people instead of assassins and others like them."  Rethna nodded. "That doesn't bother you?"

"They have homing features in the carts," Rethna said, holding up his hands.  "Someone get me free?"  Melyn moved over to free him, giving him a slight grin.  "Unless your daughter knows how to drive the carts, Sivya only knows the very basics.  That means they're going by the computers so the computers will register where they've been."

"Unless she did what she said and then it was 'let's go that way until we find something we like," Melyn pointed out helpfully, still smirking at the men.  "Don't they have some sort of hunting the mate game on your world, Rethna?"

"Well, yes, but it's played by those who are just coming into adulthood.  It's also played in the woods most of the times.  It's only done on the highest day of summer and it's usually a picnic with the one you've caught."

"Is it high summer on your world?" Brast asked impatiently, tapping one foot.

Rethna checked the calendar on his wrist computer, then shook his head. "Spring planting.  There would be dances tonight, but she wasn't even old enough to hear about those when she left her homeworld," he pointed out.  "No one would have mentioned it to a priestess of Alia, even though she's over Nature and Marriage.   They're usually pretty tame compared to the harvest festivals but most of the party is spent with the one you intend to find or have find you come high summer."  He shrugged.  "I'm sure they'll be fine, but hurry up anyway.  I don't like them being alone either."

Brast stomped into the bathroom, his good mood ruined for the whole day.  How dare his wife do stupid things like this!  With his daughter no less!  He had taught his daughter better than that!
 

~*~*~*~

A tall, broad, tough looking redheaded woman strolled up to where Sivya and Constantine were eating breakfast and chatting, sitting across from them without asking.  "Empress," she said dryly.  "The last time I knew, you weren't allowed out without guards yet.  Why are you making it easy for the idiots who want to kill you to preserve their own ways to get you?"

"I'm not as easy a target as everyone thinks," she said dryly.  "You are?"

"The second-in-command to your personal corps of guards.  I was switching ships here and someone spread the news that you two were out alone."  She looked at Constantine.  "You should know better by now."  The blaster was put onto the table.  "Very nice, but are you prepared to take out a good portion of the population with it?" she asked dryly.  Constantine gave her a long look.  "If there's one, there's probably more assassins hiding and watching to see your weak points.  They could be anyone.  We've seen them as young as last stage of childhood, eight."  Both women shuddered.  "As such, I would insist that you do take at least a guard with you, even if you do want to dump the stuffy and boring men who seem to want to constrain you to a set role."  She looked at her new boss again.  "As such, I'll go with you if you want."

"How do we know you are who you say you are?" Constantine asked.

"Because I can read her," Sivya noted.  The guard nodded, smirking at her. "You knew that?"

"I've been fully briefed on what you can and should be able to do, Empress.  How else would I expect to protect you?   I even know of your habit of walking away when the stress gets to you.  Especially if you can find one of the Ferganis to pet. I also know that you can and probably will have a pet sometime soon.  The same as I know that all this boring necessary shopping is killing your spirit and you're yearning to shop like a little girl again.  I can allow that."

Constantine looked at her stepmother. "You can read her?"  Sivya nodded.  "How strong are you as a Thinker?"

"Level nine.   Not strong enough to be one of those helpful people on the Green Teams, but more than strong enough to have honed my skills at the temple by reading people for what they really needed to talk about and to have prayed for.  Most people know I'm a five or a seven for security reasons."

"The average person is around a one or a two," the guard noted for Constantine's benefit.  "Each level grows exponentially.  To get into the double-digits you'd have to be nearly strong enough to bend minds to your will."

"Not true, I can do that.  A Level ten would be able to do it to a crowd," Sivya corrected gently.  "At least ten or twelve people of level two or less."  She looked at her youngling.  "It's not that spectacular.  I'm nowhere near the level of someone like the Great Gastian or even her mate Mathran.  They're Level thirty-something, the highest ever found."  Constantine shuddered.  "Which is why I demand that any and all people who come to me at least have a clue about the fact that I'm a strong feeler of emotion and thought."

"And that other stuff no one likes to think about on this side of the Empire," the guard agreed. Sivya gave her a long look.  "As I said, the briefing was quite thorough.  How else would I be able to guard you and to project your every move before it happens during a battle?"

"Including the fact that I'm not a helpless little priestess?"

"It was hinted at, but no one knows for certain how strong you can be yet," she pointed out.  "You've never been about to be assassinated yet and barely gotten away."

"Good point," Constantine offered.  "But we did that yesterday."

"He was easily beaten," the guard said gently, breaking the illusion for her.  "There's a difference when there's ten or more of them, Ki."

"Fine," Constantine said, rolling her eyes heavenward.  "Now what?"

"If I've got to have this mass of hair, then I should probably dress it up with more than long hairpins and daggers," Sivya noted.  "Speaking of which, I'm negating it so you won't have to do that," she offered.  "Having this much hair is a pain."  Constantine shuddered.  "Exactly.  So I believe we should head somewhere like the Riven section to get hair ornaments and possibly some sleeping outfits I like, then we'll go to my homeworld's section for a bit if we can find it, then possibly to the Mcarthes?"  Their guard nodded.  "Would that be a lot of traveling?"

"Well, yes, but I'm sure we can manage it," the guard said as she stood up.  "Nearly finished?"

"Do you have a name?" Constantine asked dryly.

"Lasarae."  She smirked at her.  "I'm from Tevelan."

"I know of them" Constantine admitted. "They breed some very strong warriors."

"Yes, we do," she said proudly.  "My mother was the Imperial nanny and guard for the longest time, that's why my application was given so much attention.  Now, Empress, I believe the rest of your entourage should be waking up by now. Shall we?"  Sivya put down some credits for the food and followed her out with the last few bites, licking off her fingers.  "You know not to do that in front of the Catklain?" she asked gently.  Sivya smirked and nodded. "Good.  I didn't think you wanted to upset people more by taking a mate from the furry third of the Empire.  Some people would be quite upset with you."  She got them into the cart, watching as Sivya took off smoothly.  "Good job.  Who taught you?"

"Rethna went over it last night," she admitted.  "I watched really hard after that."  She smirked at her and managed to avoid the traffic snarl up ahead of them by dipping under it.  "Can you find the Riven section?"

"Of course.  Go left at the next lit juncture, the one in purple, and go to the green and blues mixed, then turn left again and go down seven or eight sections, I can't remember which.  You'll start to see them long before we run into them fully."

"Thank you.  You're quite helpful."  She made the turn, cutting someone off who still had their cushion inflated.  "My, they look silly."

"It's the lack of information," Lasarae reminded her. "Don't be smug or it'll come back on you.  Your own faith teaches that I know."

"It does," Sivya agreed lightly.  "It's good that someone understands that."  She made the second turn and headed down, finding the naked people with long, decorated hair easily enough.   She stopped beside a small grouping of them.  "I'm looking for someone to dress my hair and to find some good ornaments.  Is there a good procurer nearby?"

The woman closest to them looked, then did a double take.  "You need to condition that mass first, young lady," she said firmly.  "The Goddess would not appreciate such nastiness."

"It wasn't my choice to grow my hair this long, and it's treason if I cut it," she sighed. "They're still encouraging growth and the nutrient mix makes it dry and brittle.  That's the reason I'm going to a procurer."

"Hmm.  Two subsections down and to the right.  The red store with the purple sign.  He should help."  Her group moved on.

"Thank you," she called back.  "The Goddess be praised in each and every strand, follicle, and happiness in life."  She headed that way, stopping them in front of the store she had suggested and getting out.  She had to go back for her wallet, but that was fine.  She walked in and the man behind the counter gasped. "I know.  The nutrient mix dries it out horribly," she said, lifting a long, broken strand.  "I need to fix it and I need to dress this nasty mess up.  Do you have a few hours?"

He nodded numbly. "Of course, Priestess.  Right this way.  When did you decide to grow your hair?"

"When the people with the black shears came after me while I slept one night and told me it was treason if I didn't," she said bitterly.  "Now it's twice my length and breaking because it can't sustain it."

"Then we can certainly do something about that," he agreed firmly, leading her into the back room and sitting her in a chair.  "Let's wash this mass first, and hopefully comb it.  Yours is the only hair I know that was blessed to be lively and play with you."  He undid the pins, watching as the hair fell down around their feet and puddled.  "Hmm.  It needs washed too.  Do not let them use just the cleaning water on your hair, Empress.  It is not good for it.  I'll give you things for it."

"You addressed her as Priestess first," Constantine noted.  "Why?"

"Because she was one of Alia's handmaidens on Riven, I went often to their temple for lunch while I was in training. It was free and the priestesses never minded when I practiced on their hair. She was always quite good about letting me play with hers since it was so long."  He put a ring above her head and turned it on, letting her hair have the anti-grav field without the pins that would get in his way.  "This may hurt some.  You've already got knots."

"I hate to hurt my current hairdresser's feelings but I need someone who can do this full time," she complained, wincing as a knot was tugged on. "Ow!  Can't you just cut it and we can start over?"

"They'd toss you into some lava pits for it," Constantine reminded her bitterly.  "Please, take that requirement away from me," she pleaded. "I can't see myself dealing with even hair half as long."

"Me either, though mine had been about down to my knees.  I used to have to wear anti-grav pins for the weight.  Then they did this.  I can't even wash it without having problems."

"The secret to that is to wash a few handfuls at a time then put it up in a way that will allow it to stay out of your way so you can move on," the procurer noted. "I would offer myself but my shop means the world to myself and my son, Empress."

"I was not suggesting, but if you know someone," she offered.  "Someone eminently skilled and resourceful.  Otherwise I'll simply braid it and wind it up a few times until my husband deals with it again."

"Which is a shame with this much hair," he noted.  "Are you going to Riven soon?  I know you'd like to go back someday.  You were so sad when you left."

"We're going there next," she admitted.  "If only because the Court won't follow."  The other women laughed, shaking their heads. "You think I'm kidding, but think about it.  I'm a high level Thinker.  The Court is full of greedy people who always exude 'want' and 'desire'.  It's sickening some days with how mentally polluted some of them are.  Then, you've got the household staff and all those other people.  I could never dream of living with all of them full-time. I'd die.  Or go insane," she admitted bitterly.  Another knot was released and that section of hair was quickly twisted away and pinned to her head.  "I was hoping to visit my people's section."

"Only if you take the 'quick blast'," he offered.  "There's a station not far away and it'll get you there fairly quickly.  You can even park your cart there and then come back to it when you're done.  Or, the near cousins have a section nearer to here.  They keep trying to dress most of my people."

"Why do you wear clothes?" Constantine asked.  "Your hair's not that long either."

"Because I mostly deal with the outsiders," he said dryly, smirking at her.  "They send all the non-natives here to get done.  It makes them feel more comfortable if I'm wearing clothes."  He shrugged and went back to doing her hair.

Sivya winced. "Can't we oil it down and then do that?"

He grabbed a bottle and upended it over her head, watching as the syrupy thick liquid poured out.  "It would be easier," he agreed.  Once it was emptied, he picked up the ends and moved them to smoosh the oil into it so he could release all the knots.  "I'll get someone in here to dress your hair today and then to take you shopping.  I remember you used to look quite adorable in our feasting outfits, Priestess."  She blushed and he giggled.  "I thought as much.  It will be fine."  He looked at the other women.  "I have an assistant if you need help; and I do note that your hair does need help.  At least conditioning treatments."  They shrugged and took seats so he went to get his apprentice and let him do their hair.  He had the more important one and she had to be beautiful.
 

~*~*~*~

Brast had sworn in many languages that when he caught up to his wife, he was going to hurt her.  That, of course, had sent Melyn into giggles each time he switched to another version of Pirate Trade speak or one of the other languages he knew just enough to swear in.  Rethna was giving him worried looks, but he was ignoring it.  How dare they run off like that!  Didn't they know how dangerous it was?  They were helpless women!  When they did finally catch up with them, they were coming off the 'quick blast' to the other side of the shopping center.  He stopped and blinked a few times, then shook his head once or twice.  "Where have you been?" he demanded finally, ignoring the flimsy clothing, the wonderful hair, and all of the good makeup she was wearing.

Melyn giggled at them and ran over to give them a hug.  "You look like the priestess of Rivena."

"We should," Constantine said with a smirk.  "Who do you think dressed us?"  She smirked at their guards.  "Guys, this is apparently one of the guards coming in for Sivya's personal corps?"  Her father growled so she looked around.  "None of my fortunate spouses get dragged along?"

"They're behind us by a few hours," Melyn said with a wink.  "They stopped for lunch. Lord Brast was most worried about you so we didn't."  She touched a soft strand of hair that was actually doing what it was supposed to do.  "Wow.  Who made it behave?"

"The procurer, who is writing one of his teachers to come help me with this tangled mess that not even my beloved First Husband and my hairdresser can fix," she said proudly.  "I didn't have a single break since the put the oil on it."  She moved closer so he could look at it.  "Does it meet with your expectations?" she asked calmly.

He looked her over, then nodded, turning away.  "It does.  You do look like one of Riven's high priestesses."

"Good, because we're moving there next," she told them all, heading for their car.  "Lasarae?"  She hurried to catch up.  "Where did I say next?"

"Mcarthes, m'lady," she said respectfully, nodding at Brast as she trotted past him.  "Then possibly my people so I can pick up some snacks to bring with me?  They make a wonderful fruit and nut mixture of our native species."

"Sure.  I only wanted to pick up a few of the great brushes and combs with the Mcarthes unless we can find some of their exquisite flower jewelry."  She got into her cart and her guard loaded in beside her.  To give her husband credit, he did make it inside before she took off, and he didn't even growl for two whole minutes.  When he did, she looked back at him.  "You don't like?"

"You're not taking any care with your safety," he said gruffly.  "Yours or my daughter's.  I do not want you to be injured or killed, Sivya, especially not over some trinkets."

Lasarae looked back at him.  "What am I?  Chopped goat?"

"No," he said snidely, "you're the one who helped her run away from us."

"Actually, I found her eating breakfast and introduced myself since it appeared that you had let her out alone," she said grimly. She looked at her charge again. "After Riven do you know where you want to go, m'lady?"

"I have a name, please use it outside of formal situations," Sivya said firmly.  "I like you that much."

"I had noticed, Sivya.  Do you know where?"

"I was planning on visiting an industrial world.  First, a merchant one, then a nature and tourism one, then an industrial one, then an education centered one because I'll need to get some help by then."  Brast gave her a shocked look. "Yes, I do have a brain," she said impatiently.  "As I have proved now and then.  Even by standing up to some of your brethren."  The cart landed so she got out and headed for the store with the brushes in the window, looking them over.  She shook her head and walked on, heading to a small, dark shop in a corner, nearly back in an alley.  She walked in and bowed to the woman behind the counter.  "I am in need of good grooming aides to help my hopeless hair.  So far only the Riven have been able to tame it.  It has been blessed to be lively and it likes to grab things."

The woman behind the counter looked her over, then went into the back room, coming back with a man and his large black case.  She nodded at it and grunted.

Sivya stepped forward to look at the combs, then frowned at her, holding up a lock to let it twine around her finger on its own.  The woman's eyes bugged out and she hurried the man into the back, coming out with a smaller case, which was opened for her benefit.  She looked it over and nodded, pulling out five of the eight.  "I like these.  How much?"

Brast walked in and looked at the brushes, then at her.  "You're insane."

"The Riven procurer said to get this kind," she defended. "If not, then the hairdresser I'm getting from there will show me."  She looked at him.  "That way you and she can fuss together and you don't feel put-upon each and every single day."  She held out her credit chip but he took it.  She snatched it back with a credible impersonation of his growl and handed it back with a smile for the patient woman.  "Those five," she ordered.  The woman ran it and handed it back, then the brushes were carefully boxed in a velvet box and handed over with a bow.  "I thank you," she said, bowing back.  She took her new accessories back to the cart and got in, looking at Constantine as she joined them.  "She's not got much Common."

"That's fine," she said with a wave of her hand.  "I can deal with that.  I broke my last one.  I brought it with me."  She pushed her father out.  "Do not get between a woman and her grooming, father, especially not a pirate woman.  You should know better by now."

He scowled back at her as she closed the door then firmly sat behind his wife. "Where to next?"

"Lunch.  I'm starved.  My people didn't have a good eatery to show off so I told the ladies that I'd treat them once we got back.  Especially since Lasarae shooed us out of breakfast before I was finished."

"I told you they'd be chasing you," the guard said smugly. She looked at Rethna, waving a hand in front of his face.  "Don't do that.  I don't want to have to take you down and then beat you a bit."  He shook himself free of his mind and frowned at her.  "Good, back among the sentient?"  His frown got deeper.  "Even better.  Food?"

"Yes, it is nearly time," he agreed, checking his computer. "What would you like to eat today, Empress?"

"Let my spouse pick," she offered with a wave of her hand. "As long as there's food I'm not going to die from, I'm not going to be picky at the moment.  Something lighter would be good though.  I plan on a short nap this afternoon."

"Of course you do. You've been quite busy today," Brast said bitterly.  "Where else?"

"Lasarae's people, then food?" she suggested.  Her guard nodded happily.  "Then get in and let's do that.  Pick, husband."  She settled her skirts around her knees, noticing it was shimmering against her skin. "I like this one," she offered.  "It does look good against my skin."

"Of course it does," Lasarae agreed.  "Wait until they see the one you got for dinner."

"Hmm.  True," she agreed happily.

"We have a meeting with the jewelry merchants tonight," Brast reminded her.

"Sure.  Wake me when it's time."  She got comfortable as they took off, letting Rethna follow with Constantine once she was done. "Are you going to mind working with a procurer?  I know I didn't ask but you always seem to look quite peeved whenever you have to do my hair for me."

"No, I don't mind," he said gently. "It is a good idea and I'm sure she can train some apprentices on your hair."  He leaned back, watching his wife.  She was not the woman he had imagined.  Then again, he wasn't exactly the same man who interviewed with her either.  He was him, but he wasn't worrying about upsetting her most of the time.  She glanced back at him and he raised an eyebrow, silently asking if she was reading his mind.  She shook he head and went back to driving.  "Why don't we go back to my section of the shopping areas?  I believe our Guild Representative wanted to speak to you."

"Pirates?" Lasarae asked dryly.  "In that outfit?  She's not even marked as a member of your clan, Lord Brast."

"When we're alone, you may use my name," he said bitterly.

"Brast, I'd have to agree, is that a good idea with how I'm dressed?" she asked.

"Well, you certainly don't look like a shy little priestess.  Maybe no one will recognize you."  He reached up and picked a tavern from the list he knew his clan patronized exclusively and sent ahead a message to reserve a back room and to call Halley in.  Then he leaned back again, getting comfortable.  "I've got to admit, those fabrics do look good on you, Sivya."

"Thank you.  I always liked my time on Riven.  I expect to go back there sometimes, even if I don't get to take vacations."

"You do, you simply have to leave Constantine in control of the crown," Lasarae offered. She watched as the cart landed gently in the assigned parking areas outside the tavern, then she looked back at Brast.  "It's rather...dirty, Brast."

"It's all attitude," he offered, getting out and putting his wife's hand on his arm.  "Come, dear. I think he wanted to talk about the shipping issues."

"Over lunch?"

"Well, probably afterwards," he admitted. "He's busy so we might even get lunch without him."  He walked her inside and everyone turned to stare at them.  "What?" he demanded.  He flipped his hair back and most of the tavern groaned, shaking their heads.

"Do not start, he's feeding me before I get a headache," Sivya said firmly.  "I am the woman he doesn't want to upset."  She followed him back to the back room, listening as the waiter asked if it was wise to bring his mistress in here, especially when his wife was still off roaming around on her own according to the rumors.  Brast looked at her and she shrugged, flipping back a piece of hair.  "I am the wife," she noted.  "I had to go to someone professional to do my hair and I suddenly remembered how much I liked serving on Riven in Alia's temple there.  Why?  Am I overdressed? I have less showy outfits in the cart," she asked darkly.  He shook his head and disappeared.  "Aren't clans like families?" she asked as she sat down in the hard chair.  "Ow."

Lasarae found a pillow and put it under her, making the man who had surrendered it smirk at them from the doorway.  "She thanks you."

"Hey, Brast, how much did you buy her for?"

"Sixteen eternity gems," she said smartly.  "I'm very expensive and I come with demands and responsibility.  I also demand intelligent conversation from my men.  Up for it?"  He snickered and walked away laughing.  She smirked at him.  "How am I doing?"

"Just fine," he admitted happily.  "You'd make a fine pirate wench, Sivya."

"Thank you, dear."  She smirked at him.  "It's all an act of course."

"Of course," he agreed, believing nothing of it.

Lasarae shook her head and coughed.  "She's not kidding, Brast.  This is the act she puts on when she's about to go out in front of everyone for a major ritual or festival.  It's all act."  He looked stunned.  "So perhaps this wasn't the wisest choice?"

"No, we'll be fine," he promised.  "They'd never hurt us."

"Brast, did you really pay sixteen eternity gems?" one woman called from the other room. "Does your legal wife know?"

"This is my legal wife," he called back.  "Your Empress and mine, dear."  He rolled his eyes, shaking his head at the worried look.  "It's my sister-by-oath.  Not an issue.  We're family of our own making."  The woman leaned in and Lasarae flinched at her size.  "She's fine, leave her alone.  She'd never take a contract to hurt anyone in this room.  It'd go against our oath and she'd have to kill herself right afterward."  He looked back at her and grinned.  "Right?"

"Correct," she agreed, walking into the room.  She looked at Sivya then slowly held out a hand.  "I don't bite."

"I do," she said with a grin, shaking her hand as best she could.  "Then again, I'm a scholar so I'm known to be a bit odd."  The pirate looked at her for a moment, then decided laughing was the only real answer to that statement.  "See, I'm odd."  She smirked at her.  "So, how long have you know this one?"  She kicked Brast under the table.

"Not nearly as well as you do," she said with a wink.  She noticed the blush.  "Brast!"  She glared at her brother.  "How dare you leave her like that!  I'll have to take her now, if only so my mate and I can share her!"

"Try," he growled, his eyes narrowing.

Sivya chuckled, kicking him again. "Then she'd have to live in the palace and dress like you."

"Never mind, that's enough incentive right there," Brast's 'sister' noted, grinning at her.  "I like you.  You're a good addition to the clan."

"That's something he hasn't decided on yet," she admitted.  "I think he's trying to see if he can stand going to Riven next year."  She gave him a long look.  "Of course, if he doesn't then I'll expect him to find me someone to take his place and who he feels is much more suitable and still able to put up with my oddness each and every day, and maybe someone who likes me more."

"It's no fair reading my mind," he said dryly.  "I do think Brailian will be better with you.  He still does royal duty, whereas I don't.  He's in better practice and you two think alike."

"Brailian also has two wonderful wives," his sister noted.  "One's a cartographer and one's his secretary.  You never know, you might like him, but I'd be very upset if you sent my baby brother away."

"I'm only two days younger than you," he snorted.

"I'd never send him away.  Everything I have is his choice at the moment," Sivya pointed out gently.  "As he's not made his choice, then I can't and won't force it.  I'm a bit too sensitive for that."

The sister looked her over, then nodded once.  "Well, you certainly look like one of those happy, fluffy people from Riven.  Ever been?"

"I served in one of Alia's temples there, second-in-command in the biggest city's temple.  I even thought about switching and becoming a Handmaiden of Rivena, but in the end I was doing better work at my temple and I had more time for my studies.  Rivena's people had a distinct lack of free time."  She noticed her husband's stunned look.  "I know many priestesses and priests there.  The Handmaiden in charge of Proactor's temples is one of my best friends.  I plan on us showing up just in time for the Festival of Candles."  He shivered.  "I missed that one, it was always one of my favorites and I went each year I was there. I even got to lead the procession as the Virgin one year."  Brast's sister gave her a shocked look. "Yes, me," she said patiently.  "I was a priestess and he's been more worried about making me appear decent than finishing my practical education.  I had to learn to drive a cart from Rethna just in case I needed to get away."

Brast snorted.  "Remind me to yell at him later, Lasarae."

"Sure.  She does it very well.  Especially for only watching him last night."  Brast frowned at his wife.

"He explained it and then I watched him each time we had to move the cart.  I really am easy to teach," she said dryly, smirking at him.  "As many teachers have found out, I have more than a serviceable brain."

"I'm sure you do, but not all things require higher thoughts," he retorted plainly.

"Yes, but a scholar tends to take on an exacting master for those tasks so they learn them and the ways of those tasks.  The same as I had two masters teaching me to pray and how to stay still, I'll expect the same dedication in teaching me other practical matters.  Then again, it may only take once because I would find my teacher distasteful.  I have no idea yet."

"I'm going to let you two snipe at each other," Brast's sister noted, hurrying away so the server could bring them some food.

"You're embarrassing me," he said quietly.

"You brought it up."

"I did not, she did," he defended.  "I don't think it's time for that.  Ours is a contract, not a true mating."

"Yes, but it's the closest I'll probably get until I throw the crown at someone and leave," she said bitterly.  "I'd like to enjoy some of my tenure on the throne.  Is that so wrong?"

"No," he said softly.  "It's not.  I don't think I'm the one to teach you though.  You need more care and attention than I could ever give."

"Maybe if you found something to take some of that attention you wouldn't be bored most of the time," she said bitterly.

"That's unfair and you know it.  You knew I didn't enjoy this life when I offered my services."

"True, then again, neither do I and I've managed to adapt some," she said disdainfully.  "I'm still leaving that up to you, Brast.  After all, I'll have to find more second husbands soon anyway, it's the law.  I'm sure I can find *someone* to teach me those things."  He looked shocked.  "I've been told others have done it.  Oh, you can tell Melyn that yes, I did take a vow, no it's no longer in effect, and until someone comes to my bed it'll just be that way."

"Gee, Empress," Laserae said dryly.  "If I had known, I would have volunteered for that duty."  They both gave her stunned looks.  "Do not fight in public, you should both know better."

"Fine," Sivya agreed easily enough.  "I've said it's his decision and it is."  She got comfortable on her borrowed pillow, smiling as the server brought in a huge tray of food.  "Hmm, I've never noticed he had an appetite that way," she said, tipping him handsomely.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome, m'lady.  Such a fine woman from Riven can't possibly be without your special drink."  He put a small glass in front of her, watching her reaction.

She looked at the tray and picked out the appropriate dish to go with the sweetest of all wines, eating a bite and gulping the drink so she could finish the rest of the meal.  He blinked as she ate heartily, then looked at Brast, making her grin.  "Thought I was kidding?" she teased, nibbling on the thin slices of rare meat.

"No, not anymore," he offered, pulling his own food off the tray.  "Where's Halley?"

"On his way in, complaining as always."  The server left them alone, giving the barmaid a long look.  "She drank it, gulped it like most of them.  Only a native or someone who's lived there for a long time can do that with that swill."

"I don't see how.  Most people can only sip that and it makes them really drunk," the barmaid complained.  "I can put some drink away but give me one of those glasses you gave her and I'm out for days."

"She went there as a priestess," Brast's sister told them, sliding up to the bar to get another drink.  "Can you make him buy a round?" she asked with a grin.  "It is tradition with the first time you bring in your mate."

"Fat chance," Brast called out.  He groaned and stood up, coming out.  "She wanted to know if you had any more of the swill or if that was all you broke free of the wax in the bottle."

"No, I've got some more ready," the barmaid promised, pouring out a clean glass of it, straining it carefully for wax bits since each individual shot was sealed in wax to keep it from going bad inside the bottle and to preserve the unique taste.  She handed it over.  "She need more meat?"

"No, she's eating the bread right now," he admitted, taking it back to her.  "Take it easy, dear, I don't want to carry you home."

"Sweetheart, I learned to drink with one of the top Handmaidens to the Goddess of Pleasures of the Mind and Body.  This is nothing compared to the night we cleaned out four bottles."

"There's fourteen servings in a bottle," Lasarae noted, looking stunned.  "How?  Most people get drunk after half a serving."

"It was a long night," she admitted. "I don't remember much after the third one but I'm assured that we didn't do anything stupid."  She sipped the next one properly, then nibbled the bread once she was done.  "Eat, Brast, before you pass out from exhaustion."

"I'm fine," he argued, but he did start to eat.  He felt her withdraw from his mind and glared at her. "I didn't need the encouragement."

"I've got to stay in practice," she said practically. "It's either that or embarrassing some ambassador."

"Never mind," he said dryly, eating more of the good food.  "I'm glad we came, the meat is really tender today."

"It's rare too," Sivya agreed, digging into one of his slices of meat. "Sorry, I'm hungry."

"It's fine," he offered, letting her snatch another small piece.  "Want another?"

"No, I'll be fine with this.  Thank you, Brast."

"You're welcome, Sivya."

"Lords Below, Brast, you bring a woman like that in here?" Halley said from the doorway.  "Won't your wife complain?  I mean, she's obviously a professional in the temples!"

"No, actually I wasn't," she said dryly.  "And no, I don't mind if he brings a woman like me here, why would I mind if my husband brings his wife to a decent tavern with good food?"  Halley blinked a few times then his knees buckled as he sat down.  "Oops, did I shock him?"

"I'm thinking you did," Brast said, looking back at his friend.  "You might as well get up and order lunch.  She's hungry today."  Halley nodded and got up to get something to eat, coming back with a bowl, a mug, and a plate of bread. "Do you feel better now?"

"Much," he agreed, shaking his head.  He smiled at the wife.  "I'm sorry if I insulted you, m'lady."

"Use a title and I'm going to kick you under the table," she warned.

"Okay.  So you're not one of those."  He sat down next to the guard, looking at her.  "A Handmaiden?"

"Guard."

"Good.  After last night I know there's a few more people who want to test themselves against her and Constantine."  He nibbled a bite of food.  "I'm sorry if I insulted you, Sivya."

"Ehh, it's fine.  I chose the clothes because I like it. It makes me look good and my husband had the same expression when he saw me."  She smirked at him.  "So, you represent the clan to the Guild?"  He nodded quickly.  "Good.  Then we'd better talk about a few things, young man."

He shivered.  "Now I know you were a priestess."  He ate another bite.  "The clans never discuss business over meals, ma'am.  Is that fine?"

"As long as you don't make Brast late for his appointment with the jewelers, I don't mind," she agreed, taking another bite.  "This is really good.  I'm wondering why they don't serve this on Riven with the wine all the time."

"I don't think anyone's ever considered it.  You know how the nobles can be if you ruin their traditions," Brast offered.  "We're going to Riven after this?  Are you sure?"

"Yes, and you'll be lucky if I don't dedicate myself to Rivena while we're there and run away for good," she said dryly.  "It would probably make me happy again."

Brast nodded, then looked at Lasarae.  "Does that sound like something that Rethna would have to break in the middle of and create an inter-planetary incident?"

"They wouldn't let him near the temple," she pointed out with a small smirk for him.  "Though I believe that she would be quite good at it.  Rivena's service is demanding because you don't get to do more than watch over the others have pleasure."

"I know that," Sivya said patiently.  "I've done duties in the temple during the joint ceremonies."  They all looked at her, frowning.  "Some of the wedding ones," she noted.  "The local fertility rites were done by a joint temple effort in the cities instead of the local small faiths out in the country.  I was asked to name three children because I saw their conception," she said proudly.  Brast blinked a few times.  "I know, it's something you've never asked about."  She sipped her water, then looked around.  "Can I get another shot?"

"Not a chance," Brast said firmly.  "I do not want you to appear drunk in public."  She laughed, shaking her head.  "You will be!"

"Brast, dear, I'm a bit more worldly than most people think," she offered, patting him on the hand.  "Really.  I am."  He frowned at her.  "Just because I can't kill someone who's attacking me doesn't make me less worldly, it makes me less able to protect myself.  I've seen and done a great many things, and what I haven't seen or done, I've read about numerous times.  You'd be surprised what sort of trash goes into the old archives.  Speaking of, Lasarae, would you please remind me that I want to send back to my temple for my books and notes?  I was transcribing a book I found and I'm hoping no one's sent it back into the catacombs."

"Of course," she agreed quickly.  "Did your assistant really quit?"

"Yes," she sighed, looking up and shaking her head.  "She decided that since I was writing my own personal missive to Ambassador Rraaaaal that it must have been top secret instead of asking him about his upcoming offspring.  I had to point out that I was more than capable of writing my own letters and that she was there for official correspondence but she seemed to get quite upset with that idea."

"Melyn's offered her boyfriend's service," Brast offered.  "I know she wrote him a letter about that."

"If he's suitable, I wouldn't care," she agreed. Halley's wrist computer beeped so she looked at him.  "Problems?"

He looked at it, then at her. "You're putting out an edict while you're shopping?"

"No," she said slowly.  "I'm putting one out on the way back, but I'm supposed to be proofreading it."  She looked at Lasarae, who sighed and handed over hers.  "Sorry, mine's not programmed yet," she pointed out, calling the palace.  The person who answered gave her a long look.  "Kathal, now," she growled.  His eyes went wide and he shook his head.  "Now, young man, before I fire you from *my* service."  Her Minister to the Courts came on and looked stunned. "Yes, I can be pretty at times," she said bitterly.  "I just saw the most interesting announcement, Kathal."

"It was an announcement only, Empress," he said quietly, sounding very calm.  "We always announce new legislation from you before you put it out.  I must say, I proofread it and it did sound quite well-written."

"Then it hasn't been put out yet?"

He shook his head, frowning.  "We would not do that."

She snorted.  "Kathal, let's be real between us. There are those who would send it out if only to discredit me.  Send it to my room computer and I'll proof it tonight before signing it."

"I've sent it to Rethna's computer, m'lady," he said respectfully.  "I must admit that some of the ambassadors will not be happy about it."

"Yay."

"Empress, they may fight so hard that we have to raise their salaries," he said gently.

She looked stunned.  "Since when do we pay them!  That is their planet's obligations, not mine and not my budget's.  We may give them a small decorating allowance for their suites and offices if they have them inside the palace itself, but I am not paying those heathens anything!  If they want paid, then they can go to their people and request it.  Perhaps it'll shake up some of the idiots we have in those positions whose only ambitions are to bother me with trivial matters that they can do on their own.  Seriously, why should I care that someone has a boil?"  He winced. "I do not care if they're sitting right there.  Personal news is fine.  I'd like to get to know some of the more decent ambassadors, but not the fact that there was an outbreak of warts in a small farming village unless it's something I need to deal with or it's on a personal level and it'll make us have a better working relationship.  I've gotten a lot of trivial things and I'm sorry, but for a Thinker of my level to put up with that, it hurts!  I'm tired of having a headache.  We will give them a small decorating allowance, which can also be used for any diplomatic functions within the palace.  All other funds must come out of their pockets or from their people.  Then their people will feel like they're doing more for them instead of just for the Empire or for the high paychecks."  He nodded once, looking away.  "Who?"

"Minister Thracthbum."

"Tell him I said hello and I hope his mother's feeling better.  I don't mind those conversations, but I've had similar with people who were just sharing gossip.  If sixty people on the planet get boils at once, cannot their people take care of it?"  He nodded quickly.  "Then pass it around.  I would rather have a good working relationship with all the ambassadors, and I don't mean that sort of gossip.  They were blatantly trying to discredit their fellows and I won't have it.  This isn't a school."

"Of course, Empress.  I totally agree.  As an added note, I have the list of where we can move the palace to next."

"We're going to Riven, then we'll go to an industrial planet, then to a center of learning."  He blinked a few times.  "I want to land on Riven the day before the Festival of Candles.  I've always liked that festival and I want to participate this year, not overshadow it."

He looked stunned but finally nodded.  "All right, if you wish.  Then where?  An industrial planet?"

"The only requirements I have is a clean atmosphere and something that's not totally a big factory.  One will make me sick and the other won't be helped by us being there."

"If you wish, Empress," he agreed quietly.  He bowed.  "Is there anything else?"

"No.  I've gotten most of my shopping done, now Brast has to finish his and Constantine has to finish hers.  We'll be home as scheduled without too much.  By the way, there will be a realignment of the household.  Pisha and I do not see at the same level and I'm tired of her ambitions."

"Of course, Empress, I'll make subtle enquiries about suitable women for a first wife.  You want basically the same thing but someone who thinks like you do without too much ambition?"

"I would," she agreed.  "I'd like someone I could be friends with."

"Very well.  I'll do that for you as well.  Do send back the proposed legislation as soon as possible, Empress, and I'll have it sent out immediately.  Is there anything else?"

"Yes, I've heard rumors that there's a migration happening of the Ferganis.  Do we have a sanctuary picked for them and is there one in the palace in case something happens?"

"I have a set of rooms that should suit a few," he admitted. "If it becomes necessary I can easily find room for them.  I will check into that, make sure it is a legal one and that the planet they're going to is suitable for them.  Thank you, Empress.  Anything else?"

She smiled at him.  "Go get a drink, Kathal.  I'm sorry I took my temper out on you.  You look like you could use it."  She signed off and handed the communicator back, then dug back into her lunch, ignoring the looks her husband was giving her for a few minutes.  She finally looked at him.  "They should be serving their people, not their pocketbooks."

"They should," he agreed.  "You've just made a great many people upset."

"Wait until you read what the crown had planned.  It's wonderfully complex."  She smirked at him.  "So there will be excitement soon I'm sure."  She looked at Halley.  "Among our kind, we do nibble while we discuss heavy matters.  If you want, we could go into that now."

He nodded, quickly finishing off his last bite of lunch, which had remained on his spoon while he had listened to her go through her Minister of the Court.  "If you want."  He wiped his mouth and got comfortable.  "What do you think of us?"

"That you're a necessary part of society with your own rules, a system that works, and that you have a reason for existing," she said simply.  "I find you to be honorable most of the time, and most of the rest is misunderstanding or a select few, who you always seem to deal with."  She shifted some, crossing her legs and getting more comfortable.  "I have no problems with you.  The others, those who are called pirates but who aren't, them I have a real problem with.  They're to be hunted down and arrested on sight.  The planets where their trades flourish are about to be eliminated and handed to the inhabitants if they want it, and if not put up for auction."  He looked shocked.  "I can and do make a distinction, even if you are called by the same name and historically speaking there were some common roots between both groups.  The others were actually a splinter group if I remember right."

Halley swallowed, then nodded quickly.  "I can see that.  I thank you for your honesty, Sivya.  May I use your name?"

"This time," she said with a small smile.  He chuckled and sat up, leaning closer.  She leaned closer as well.  "I also know that you and your clans have something to do with keeping shipping prices down.  They're still outrageous.  I've had six different complaints about shipping being so high that farmers can't afford to get their products to the markets so they go bad.  That's bad for business, for the people on both ends, and the shippers are being unreasonable when breached on the subject.  They claim their prices are so high because of you.  Can you figure out a way around that?"

"Oh, we can," Halley said smugly.  "There are those clans that run legitimate shipping concerns.  There aren't many of them, but they do exist."

"Good."  She pulled something off Lasarae's wrist computer and beamed it to Halley's.  "Look that over.  I figured that out a few days ago.  Is that a reasonable cost?"

He looked it over, then smirked at her.  "That's barely above cost.  Not much profit."

"Keep going," she said smugly.

He read further, seeing that those prices were for a single year, Central Time, and then the prices would increase to another set fee.  That would make them about ten percent on the ton of weight shipped.  He nodded and looked at her. "Can you get them to agree to it?"  She smirked at him and he suddenly got it.  They were meant to undercut the shippers and force them to back down on their prices.  "You'd almost have to force them into a Guild situation of their own accord," he warned.

Brast looked at the numbers.  "That's not bad, but with the few ships they'd be overloaded."

"The Empire is presently getting rid of a bunch of ships that we have no use for," she pointed out.  "We're auctioning them off. They're old, and some are former military ships, but they are all required to be in good working order.  You have how many younger ones who need ships of their own?"  Halley burst out laughing, reaching over to pat her.  She smirked at him.  "Is that suitable?"

"I'd have to take it to the Guild, lass, but I don't see a large problem," he offered.  "Let me do that tonight and call Brast here in the morning," he offered, slipping into the Pirate's speech cadence in his jubilation.  "It still won't make them totally legitimate, but those clans have always toed the line and they can pick and choose what they carry."

"As long as food shipments get first priority and nothing overtly contraband is seen, like slaves, certain drugs or oils, or those who export technology where it shouldn't go," she agreed.  He nodded, smirking at her.  "Then I have no problem with more minor smuggling.  You can't ever eradicate that underground. It's impossible.  The money's good, the danger appeals to others, and the desire for the product is there so *someone* is going to do it."

Lasarae looked at her. "That's very wise," she noted.  "You must learn a lot of human nature as a priestess."

"That and how often people deny and crave those things that they shouldn't have," she agreed. "If you do agree, I can start working on the shippers soon enough.  Even if I have to Empirize them and make them public domain unless they form a Guild."

"They would throw fits," Brast said dryly.

"Then they can either toe the line or go out of business, at which time others would *love* to buy them and make all that money," she pointed out.  "Even at that lower rate for the first year you should clear some profit. Plus, there are harvests going to waste."

"Then what incentive is there to the crews?" Lasarae asked.

"The benefits they pay the crews.  It would break up some of the bigger companies and make for more competition.  It would also mean that the small shipping companies would have just as much luck finding good pilots for the way they treated them, thus letting them expand."  She looked at Halley again.  "This is set up to work for five years and then be reevaluated."

"I like it," he admitted. "There'll be some fussing but there are too many people with cravings so the things will still get through.  I'll bring this to the Guild," he agreed, smiling at her.  "You do make a good addition to the clan, Sivya."

"Again, something he hasn't decided yet," she pointed out.

He snorted.  "We all know you're his girl.  We all know that you'll remain that way even if he leaves your side for the wilder lifestyle he used to live.  The same as most of us know that he'll come back someday if he does leave."  He stood up.  "I'd best get back to them.  Anything else you wanted to share?"

"Can one of you take my First Wife home?" she asked.  "Or away?"

"Only if you hire us," he said with a wink before leaving.

Brast looked at her, then sighed and shook his head.  "I'll stay for the war," he agreed.  "One more year to make sure you're safe."

"Again, your decision," she offered, smiling at Lasarae.  "We should get going.  He's got that meeting and I want a nap."

"You have to meet with them too so they can find out what you like," he said patiently.

She looked at him.  "I know what my job is, to add to the Empress' legacy of ownership.  I have no problem with that.  I will be picking out some of the things that I like best.  I want signature pieces, heirloom quality, things that people will associate with me.  I should also warn you that I've gotten most of my new outfits in this sort of fabric but the older style."  She stood up.  "Anything else?"  He shook his head, walking out to pay for them while she finished up her lunch quickly.  "Lasarae, are you staying with us?"

"I am," she agreed.  "Otherwise he might strangle you for taking off like that."  She followed behind her mistress, mentally howling with laughter at her antics.  She was not going to be boring to guard by any means.  She was going to be one of those who made the job quite difficult, yet exciting.

To Index

To Chapter Seven